Hopper

If a manager has a bit about them and can get buy in from the majority then they don’t need to be a hard case. Those that want to strop can be left in the cold. The issue with Still is he wasn’t up to the job on the pitch at all so he had no leverage with the players that could have bought in.

I don't have an issue with Spors appointing someone he's familar with from German football if he believes they have what it takes. As far as our German league recruits have gone both Scienza and Jander have been very good. Quashie has a ton of potential and Downs... well least said the better there but I'd suggest 3/4 isn't bad. If it means he's got a better understanding of who he is brining in then I think it's a solid move. Ralph came from RB after all. Still felt like an odd appointment from Spors from the off and I wonder how much his hand was pushed there.

True it’s been a deep rot.

Just call me Nostradamus. He’s got to go.

I have no expectations for this match and I feel like i'm still going to walk away dissapointed.

And worryingly Still has actually shown the balls to drop players without hesitation. I'm willing to give him a bit more time as I think we do need stability. But he's running out of it and if we put in a poor result against Preston his head is going to be called for.

This is the lineup and formation I'd go with too. Think it's our strongest and plays most in their natural postions with the exception being Arma as a 9 but I think he's the best we have. Thank god we have at least got SOME depth because with the injuries and suspension etc. we'd be fooked.

Shocking, head in hands performance. We weren't ever in control of the game and it was wild from both sides. He's fallen on his sword today baffling substitutions.

Unfathomable subs today. I've given him time, seen small glimpses but he's fallen on his own sword today trying to be too clever for his own good.

Honestly bring it on. We need games to build some semblance of consistency the international breaks have been utter bollocks.

Still talking about the defence, in particular a moment where Macca has asked them to slow down: "Those are the moments where there's such a big shift in what they were doing to what we're trying to do or where we're trying to go," Still said of that incident. "They used to invite the press and wait for things to be set up. We're going the opposite way. We're a million miles away from other performances, but we're still getting the same result, which is s***." ...They are still so brainwashed from Russ ball.

THB stuck out a mile for me today. Far too slow and pondering on the ball. Takes an age and inevitably chucks it either sideways and back or hoofs a long ball to no-one. Some bright spots. I thought Welli had a solid first game back and I like the balance of him and Jelert. Leo was obviously a league above in his thinking and execution too but we have to start getting the ball in the net. Fuck knows how we solve that problem.

For as underwhelming as the start of the season has been I do think we need to give Will some time. As a club we were an absolute shambles off the back of last season. A lot of change needed and I think they did a lot of work in the summer to move on from that. Still big areas that need to be addressed (keeper, striker) but I think the last thing the club needs is more instability at the moment. I don’t dislike Will in fact I think he’s shown he’s happy to be ruthless with the team selection which is refreshing. He clearly is playing to win and a good chunk of our conceded goals have come from individual errors (again) which he’s usually punished by dropping those players. Im not sure promotion this season is the best thing for the club in the long term. I’d much rather see us stabilise and kick on next season with a bit of continuity and Will knowing exactly what he does and doesn’t need during the Jan/Summer windows. Obviously if it all goes tits up and we’re flirting with relegation in the next couple of months than sack him off and move on but if things improve, and recent performances suggest they are moving the right direction then I’d stay the course.

He had it dressed, looked like it could have been a gash from studs or something rather than an impact or twist etc. Undoubtedly uncomfortable but hopefully not long term.

Off the back of the past couple of games I'd actually be tempted to play Arma as a 9 (I know, I know) but I think with Scienza, Fellows and Either Azaz or Robinson it could actually work well. Wood should be a nailed on starter and I was very impressed with Jelert, would start him over Mads.

Don’t disagree with this either tbh. Poch did make a huge difference but the manager bounce doesn’t happen for everyone. Like I say he’s gonna be up against it very soon so let’s see how we go.

We were poor today, first half especially. I think it's too early to look at a style of play from him, he's had an unsettled squad and only just got players the profiles he was after in the door. I'd give him a bit more time but he's got to start getting a tune out of them fairly quickly.

Frustrating but not wholey unexpected with the new players bedding in and the skates up for it. I thought we looked slow and plodding, passes back and across seem to still be the default setting for some reason. Downes was woeful for me. The balance isn't right with both him and Charles in there together and I think Charles offers far more. The team looked much better with Jander on and I thought his calmness on the ball was pretty evident straight away, could end up being a big player for us and ideally I'd like to see him in with Charles from the start. Tough to judge Azaz or Archer because they got fed so little. I did think Fellows showed glimpses of what he can offer but all in all a pretty dower affair.

Still doesn’t strike as the type to mess around integrating players. Mads came more or less straight in, Azaz the same with the other two not registered in time for Watford. It think we will see a mostly changed 11 only question might be Jander but he looks handy from everything seen and if Still feels he is a better option than Downes or Charles I think he will come in.

I think it's only fair to crack this back out. Well done to the team at Saints. Excited for the season ahead.

Listening to Leo's interview it sounds like our team made contact weeks back on the move so this was well planned out in advance despite it coming down to the wire haha.

Possible, Saints may also hold an option year on his contract.

You could always grow your hair like that United supporter. Not sure who'd win that race.

I think in all 3 cases the monetary values involved are so relatively low on the balance sheet it doesn't really impact us. Smallbone has a zero value as he's an academy product. Missed opportunity for profit but no losses. Bree we signed for less than a mil and chaz I think was on a free. Salaries they would've likely already been reduced on relegation and then it's just up to the clubs to negotiate the share.

Some wonderful puns on those shop fronts.